The Kent-based luxury agency officially welcomed clients to its new Cranbrook branch on Thursday (23 October), just two years after making its high street debut in Headcorn.
Revells Travel director Jamie Revell told TTG: “The opening day was a remarkable success. We had people waiting at the doors before we opened at 12pm.”
The Cranbrook store opening comes just a few months after the closure of Baldwins Travel, which also had a shop in Cranbrook. Revell said he is delighted to have recruited two former Baldwins agents, both of whom have “decades of experience and a genuine connection with the local community".
Revell also said he was pleasantly surprised by the turnout of more than 100 visitors, having anticipated only “dribs and drabs” over the course of the afternoon.
“It was so much busier than I expected. We didn’t stop speaking to people all day," he continued.
Michael Weight and Jamie Revell, directors of Revells Travel, had previously been 'dubious' of the high street
The team fielded enquiries from both new and existing clients, some of whom have now booked trips. Visitors were also served Prosecco and travel-themed cupcakes, which, handmade by Revell’s wife, ended up being a “real conversation starter”.
Having never run a travel agency branch prior to the business's Headcorn shop, Revell admits he had previously been “dubious” about the value of a high street presence.
The success of the flagship store, however, has proven to him the importance of face-to-face interaction for clients spending significant sums.
The travel-themed cupcakes went down a storm, says Revell
“People can easily be spending £10,000 to 15,000 per person on a luxury safari, which we sell a lot of,” he said. “If I was spending this on a holiday, I wouldn't want to take any risk, by handing that money over to a faceless, online business.”
Looking ahead, Revell is open to further expansion.“We are always on the lookout and we have looked at other stores in the area,” he said.
However, Revell admitted he and his sales staff wouldn't actively promote budget operators like Tui or Jet2holidays and would always try and push clients towards high-end trips instead.
“We can do those seven-day sun holidays and we will always book them if customers want them, but what we specialise in is tailor-made travel," he explained.
